Treating Hyperopia with "CK"

If you’re over 21, have generally good eye health, and wear glasses because images close-up appear blurry, you probably already know you’re a candidate for LASIK vision correction.  However, what you might not know is that you’re probably also a candidate for “CK” corrective surgery – a procedure that in some cases produces better results for the treatment of your condition.

“CK” stands for “conductive keratoplasty,” a procedure which uses radio waves to alter the shape of the eye.  The procedure, approved by the FDA in 2002, is non-invasive.   
 
When a person can’t see near images, the medical term for that condition is “hyperopia.”  In such instances, that person’s cornea (the clear part of the eye, which covers the pupil) is flat.  When light enters a hyperopic cornea, that light focuses behind the retina, instead of on it.  This means that the eye can’t properly turn the light into images, and the person’s near vision becomes blurred.

The CK radio waves alter the shape of the cornea.  Guided by a rinse-away dye, the radio frequency affects only specific parts of the cornea.  In cases of hyperopia, usually both eyes will be treated the same day.  The waves change the shape of the cornea by shrinking targeted areas of collagen in the eye. 

The application of the CK waves is quick (about 3 minutes per eye) and painless.  Most patients describe the sensation as a slight pressure on the eye, similar to the feelings other patients associate with LASIK.

LASIK treatment for hyperopia is the type of LASIK treatment which is most likely to lead to side effects such as dry eyes, “halos” and light sensitivity.  CK, however, does not have these complications – no scalpels or lasers ever enter the eye, just harmless radio waves.   

CK treatment is becoming an increasingly popular procedure, and is used to treat more than just farsightedness.  It is also being used to correct a condition called “presbyopia.”  This is an age-related vision disorder where the eye becomes unable to focus properly close up for reading and similar activities.

The CK treatment for presbyopia is considered revolutionary, because it involves each eye being corrected to a different strength – one eye is tailored for distance vision, the other for near.  In fact, it is the first procedure approved by the FDA for the treatment of presbyopia.

It’s innovations like these which are propelling CK to the forefront of eye care.  Patients enjoy its ease and non-invasiveness, and doctors like its safety and lasting results.  If you’d like more information, please contact your eye doctor today.  Only he or she can properly explain how each procedure (LASIK and CK) will affect your specific situation.  However, because CK is relatively new, if you haven’t been to the eye doctor in a while, it may be time to return, and revisit the subject of corrective eye surgery.  Thanks to new innovations such as CK, you may soon be viewing the world in a whole new light! 

Click here for more information on CK radio wave eye surgery.